Sports council to ask elite for Asiad cash

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council has invited members of the country's business elite who have in the past supported sports development in the country to a meeting to discuss a program to raise funds for the team competing in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said yesterday that he hoped the business heavyweights would renew their commitment to national sports development during the meeting.

Among those invited are Anthony Salim, Eka Tjipta Wijaya, Ibrahim Risyad, James Riady, Pontjo Sutowo and Prayogo Pangestu. State Minister for Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng, formerly a renowned businessman, has also been invited.

"We won't be able to meet the required budget by ourselves, but we understand that the businesspeople are feeling the pinch of the crisis and some may even be facing bankruptcy," Wismoyo said.

"That's why we will try to share ideas and find the best solution to the financial problems we are now facing."

However, Wismoyo did not give the date for the meeting.

He said council officials would not seek funds from ordinary members of the public as it has done for the National Games in the past and also when Indonesia hosted the 19th Southeast Asian Games last year.

His statements contradict calls from State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Agung Laksono's to raise funds from the public.

Wismoyo criticized Agung for ignoring the people's suffering.

"The people are suffering enough already," he said.

"I think the people will oppose the idea (to donate money to the national Asian Games team). Perhaps we need a poll to confirm the public's (negative) response," he said as quoted by Antara.

The council has estimated that preparations for the Asiad will cost Rp 15 billion (US$100,000), one fifth of which will be provided by the government. (yan)